Hey all, I'll be in Florence for full three days (arriving on a Sunday and departing that Thursday). I would very much like to visit Siena (I studied there for a few months a long time ago and my wife has never been) and maybe a neighboring town like San Gimignano. I was wondering if you guys think it would be better to do this trip on that Monday or if it's better to do it on that Wednesday. I know a lot will be closed in Florence on Monday so I was initially thinking to go to Siena on that day. Also, do you guys think it's better to just take the bus vs train? It's been so long that I barely remember how I got around back then - I think I rode both the bus and train at different times...
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16231 posts
In a day in Siena you could visit the top 5 of Siena: Piazza del Campo Palazzo Pubblico (City Hall-Piazza del Campo) Torre del Mangia (Tower of Palazzo Pubblico) Museo Civico (inside the Palazzo Pubblico)
Duomo & Battistero (5 min. walk from Piazza del Campo) Everything is open both Mon and Wed, so it's up to you. Best way from Florence is by bus (70 min) which takes you right on top of the hill in Viale Tozzi. From there you walk to the above sights taking the famous "passeggiata" on La Lizza, Banchi di Sopra e via di Citta', all straight (slightly curving). The train is also an option but it takes 1 and 1/2 hours and the station is at the bottom of the hill (the city center is on top of the hill), so you need a bus or a 30 min. uphill walk from there.
Posted by
Aiken, SC, USA
25 posts
You could consider a day trip/tour from Florence. I took one recently that was a narrated (pointing out sights along the way) bus trip to Siena, a city tour, time for lunch and then continue to San Gimignano for a free afternoon. The bus returned us to the Florence by early evening. I usually make my own way but this was really convenient and fit my schedule.
The tour operator was Viator. www.viator.com